Principal Investigator(s):Kelly, William R., University of Texas at Austin. Center for Criminology and Criminal Justice Research

Summary:

This study consists of data from both the process
evaluation and the outcome evaluation of the Texas Youth Commission's
(TYC) Chemical Dependency Treatment Program (CDTP). The research goal
of the first part of the study was to provide a systematic and
empirical process evaluation of appropriate program placement and
whether and to what extent selected individual-level factors were
related to key measures of program progress, as well as to variations
in process outcomes across each of five ... (more info)

This study consists of data from both the process
evaluation and the outcome evaluation of the Texas Youth Commission's
(TYC) Chemical Dependency Treatment Program (CDTP). The research goal
of the first part of the study was to provide a systematic and
empirical process evaluation of appropriate program placement and
whether and to what extent selected individual-level factors were
related to key measures of program progress, as well as to variations
in process outcomes across each of five treatment sites. The research
goal of the second part of the study was to provide a systematic and
empirical outcome evaluation of the impact of the TYC Chemical
Dependency Treatment Program, including determination of the extent to
which certain risk, need, amenability, program performance and
delivery, and aftercare factors affected treatment impact. Data were
obtained from the Texas Youth Commission, the state corrections agency
responsible for serving violent and serious delinquent youth committed
to the custody of the state. TYC collects a range of information on
the risk, needs, and treatment amenability of its youths. Also,
program performance is measured through the use of an exit assessment
conducted by program staff, which essentially provides a report card
summarizing each youth's involvement and progress in treatment. Data
in this evaluation cover all juveniles who entered the CDTP from
January through October 1998, and who were discharged by April 1,
1999. The treatment group consists of youths who invariably had a high
need for chemical dependency treatment. The control group consists of
youths who were eligible for treatment in the CDTP during this same
time period but who did not receive it due to limited CDTP bed
space. To obtain measures of drug use/abuse relapse, aftercare
participation, and parole performance, a parolee data worksheet was
created. TYC was able to provide information on who received chemical
dependency treatment while on parole. Five core variables of the
process evaluation data are program completion, program expulsion,
days to completion, days to expulsion, and number of behavior
infractions. The process evaluation includes the following variables
from individual exit assessments: the youth's overall participation,
whether the youth understood the curriculum, understood addiction,
sought help, acknowledged addiction, and acknowledged impact, the
youth's performance grade, whether the youth committed to be
drug-free, family involvement, special circumstances, and performance
index. Demographic variables are race, age, parents' marital status,
and gender. Variables addressing risk factors include classifying
offense, offender class, risk level, number of felony referrals,
number of felony adjudications, number of previous TYC commitments,
and number of parole revocations. Other variables in the process
evaluation address the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory
(SASSI), the Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV) chemical
dependency treatment need, TYC treatment amenability score, and the
Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale
(SOCRATES). Variables available in the outcome evaluation data address
issues of rearrest, higher custody level, aftercare sessions, drug
tests, and parole compliance.

Access to these data is restricted. Users interested in obtaining these data must complete a Restricted Data Use Agreement, specify the reasons for the request, and obtain IRB approval or notice of exemption for their research.

Universe:
Juveniles who entered the Texas Youth Commission's
Chemical Dependency Treatment Program from January through October
1998, and who were discharged by April 1, 1999.

Data Types:
administrative records data

Methodology

Study Purpose:
The research goal of the first part of this study
was to provide a systematic and empirical process evaluation of
appropriate program placement and whether and to what extent selected
individual-level factors were related to several key measures of
program progress, as well as to variations in several process outcomes
across each of five treatment sites. This evaluation specifically
attempted to address questions concerning the relationships between
risk assessment and program progress, dynamic and criminogenic needs
and program progress, and treatment amenability and program progress,
as well as investigating any variations in program progress across
treatment sites. The research goal of the second part of this study
was to provide a systematic and empirical outcome evaluation of the
impact of the Texas Youth Commission's (TYC) Chemical Dependency
Treatment Program (CDTP), including determination of the extent to
which certain risk, need, amenability, program performance and
delivery, and aftercare factors affected treatment impact. This
evaluation specifically attempted to address the following questions:
First, compared with those who have high chemical dependency needs but
do not receive treatment, do youths in chemical dependency treatment
fare better with respect to outcomes of rearrest and placement on a
higher custody level, by offense type? Second, what factors
(including demographic, risk, and dynamic and criminogenic need
factors, treatment amenability, and program and parole progress and
performance) are associated with variation among treatment group
recipients in these outcomes? Third, which sub-groups/populations of
treatment youths are most and least likely to benefit from treatment?

Study Design:
Data were obtained from the Texas Youth Commission
(TYC), the state corrections agency responsible for serving violent
and serious delinquent youth committed to the custody of the
state. TYC collects a range of information on the risk, needs, and
treatment amenability of its youths. Also, program performance is
measured through the use of an exit assessment conducted by program
staff, which essentially provides a report card summarizing each
youth's involvement and progress in treatment. Data are provided for
all juveniles who entered the CDTP from January through October 1998,
and who were discharged by April 1, 1999. The treatment group consists
of youths who invariably had a high need for chemical dependency
treatment. The control group consists of youths who were eligible for
treatment in the CDTP during this same time period but who did not
receive it due to limited CDTP bed space. To obtain measures of drug
use/abuse relapse, aftercare participation, and parole performance, a
parolee data worksheet was created. TYC was able to provide
information on who received chemical dependency treatment while on
parole.

Sample:
Not applicable.

Data Source:

records of the Texas Youth Commission

Description of Variables:
Five core variables of the process evaluation data
are program completion, program expulsion, days to completion, days to
expulsion, and number of behavior infractions. The process evaluation
includes the following variables from individual exit assessments: the
youth's overall participation, whether the youth understood the
curriculum, understood addiction, sought help, acknowledged addiction,
and acknowledged impact, the youth's performance grade, whether the
youth committed to be drug-free, family involvement, special
circumstances, and performance index. Demographic variables are race,
age, parents' marital status, and gender. Variables addressing risk
factors include classifying offense, offender class, risk level,
number of felony referrals, number of felony adjudications, number of
previous TYC commitments, and number of parole revocations. Other
variables in the process evaluation address the Substance Abuse Subtle
Screening Inventory (SASSI), the Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV
(DSM-IV) chemical dependency treatment need, TYC treatment amenability
score, and the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness
Scale (SOCRATES). Variables available in the outcome evaluation data
address issues of rearrest, higher custody level, aftercare sessions,
drug tests, and parole compliance.